Locking apparatus for elevator platforms



J. DUNLOP ET AL 2,408,762- LOCKING APPARATI-IS FOR ELEVATOR PLATFORMSOct. 8, 1946.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16 1943 mvswroes James Dun lap and PatentedOct. 8, 1946 LOCKING APPARATUS FOR ELEVATOR PLATFORMS James Dunlop,

Ridgewood, and Lennie R. Rissler,

Hohokus, N. J.,' assignors, by mesne assignments, to Westinghouse Pa, acorporation of Penn- East Pittsburgh,

sylvania Electric Corporation,

Application December 16, 1943, Serial No. 514,520 I -20 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to locking apparatusfor elevator platforms andmore particularly to locking apparatus for securely holding largeelevator platforms in a wedge-locked position at a landing.

One object of our invention is to provide for firmly wedging and lockinglarge elevator plat forms at a parking floor. I

Another object is to provide a wedge lock for large elevator platformsat a parking floor which will maintain its wedging action as long as thelock is in looking position. Afurther object is to so look and wedge theplatform of a deck-edge elevator at a flight deck on a ship as toovercome of the platform and also to the wind and the sea.

A still further object is to provide a wedge and locking apparatus whichwill maintain an elevator platform securely in position at a flight deckon a ship regardless of the action of the ship, the elements or anywarpage of the deck or change in the size of the platform opening in thedeck due to changes in temperature.

It is also an object to provide a wedging; and locking apparatus forelevator platforms which may be easily operated either by power or byhand and which may be easily maintained in sound operative conditionunder all circumstances. V a

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to theaccompanying draw.- ings; in which:

v Figure lis a View in'aft end elevation of a deck edge elevator for anairplane carrier ship, with the elevator platform at the main deck,

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation taken from the inside of theship andlooking in the outboard direction, with the platform at the flight deck,I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top-plan'view of the elevator platform lock inposition at the flight deck,

part of the flight deck being broken away to disclose our improvedlocking apparatus and the platform being shown in broken parts toaccommodate the figure to the drawing,

Fig. 4 is a view in fore end elevation of the locking apparatusillustrated'in Fig. 3,. 1

Fig. 5 is a view in inboard side elevation of the locking apparatusillustrated in Figure. 3,

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the inboard look atthe aft end of the platform, Fig. '7 is a vertical longitudinal sectionthrough the outboard wedge look at the aft end of the platform, i

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical longitudinalsection from the inboard sideof the mechanism for interlocking the hoisting engine and the platformlocking apparatus shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is a view taken'on the line IX-JX Fig. 8. g

,Fig. 10 is an enlarged view in side elevation, taken from the aft endof the platform, of the cam mechanism responsive to the position ofth'eplatform for preventing operation of the locking apparatus until theplatform is level with the flight deckjand.

Fig. 11 is a view in side elevation of the hand lever and ratchet wheelfor operating the lockthe battering-ram effect on the ship due to pitchand roll ing apparatus by hand.

The invention is illustrated as deck edge elevator on an In a typicalship of this character having a deck edge elevator the flight deckoverhangs the edge applied to a of the ship about 16 feet and out ofthis overhanging part of the deck is notched a spacefor the elevatorplatform. Such a platform is about feet long and 34 feet wide and weighsapproximately 60 tons. The outboard portion of the platform extendsapproximately 18 feet, beyond the overhanging edge of the flight deck.The guides for the platform are mounted on the outside of the ship hull:andtheplatform is suspended and operated in the guides by a plurality ofhoisting cables which pass over sheaves mounted on the underside of theoverhanging part of the deck and which are attached'to, the fore and aftends of the platform. The platform is suspended entirely by itshoistingeablesand is not counterweighed. L i

When the platform is not in ordinary use and the roll of the shipexceeds 10,it should belocked at the flight deck For this purpose, weprovide two looks at its fore end and'two looks at its aft end.Theinboard look at the fore end and the inboard look at the aft end aremounted on the underside of the overhanging deck close to the ship hull.The outboardlock'atthe fore end and the outboard look at the aft end aremounted underneath the flight deck near its outboard edge. The locks areconnected together so that they maybe operated in unisoneither bybyhand. of locks will permit a moveunder the action of externallyappliedforces, such as the platform dipping into a wave with the shipunder motion. This platform movement will progress until the externallyapplied turning moment is balanced by a countermoment'ekerted by theroller guides against the rollers of'the platform. Any turning pneumaticpower or This arrangement airplane carrier ship.

moment is therefore resisted by reactions at opposite ends of theplatform, instead of by reactions at the locking members, which have amuch shorter lever arm.

When the ship rolls heavily the outer portion of the platform dips intothe water. As the platform strikes the water severe stresses are set up.On coming out of the water the platform lifts many tons of water,thereby creating heavy additional stresses. the four looks. The inboardlocks are designed to take vertical reactions only and the outboardlocks are designed to take both Vertical and fore and aft loads. Thereactions athwartship are not taken on any of the locks but. are takenon the elevator guides. In order to prevent a battering ram eflect ofthe platform on the ship' due to pitch and roll and also to wind andsea, the outboard locks are made wedge shaped so that the platform willbe locked tightly to the flight deck and there can be no loosenessbetween the flight deck and the ship. even though there should bewarpage of the flight deck or a change in size of the notch in the deckdue to changes in temperature.

Although the invention is described in connection with a deck edgeelevator on an airplane carrier ship, it may be used in connection withany movable body which should be securely locked and wedged in aparticular position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, we have illustrated a deckedge elevator comprising an elevator platform It disposed between a pairof guide rails II and I2 mounted on the outside of a ship hull I3, inposition to be supported by and to be raised and lowered between a maindeck I4 and a flight deck or parking floor I5 by a plurality of hoistingcables I6 and I1 operated by a hoisting engine I8,

The platform I!) comprises a base section 29 and a hinged or outboardsection 21 the floors of which normally lie in the same plane andprovide a large level area upon which airplanes may be moved and carriedfrom one deck to another.

The base section of the platformv is constructed With a suitableflooring 22 laid upon a frame 23 made of seamless steel tubing,structural steel sections and steel plate welded together in bridge likeconstruction .to form a relatively light but stron structure. platformis also constructed with a suitable floor 24 laid upon a frame .25 ofseamless steel tubing, structural steel and steel plate welded to getherin bridge like construction in the same manner as the. base and is.mounted upon and I:

connected to, the. base With asuitable hin ed joint 26 so that it may beraised from its normal horizontal position into a vertical position onthe base when the ship has to pass through .a canal lock or other narrowopening, in the copending application, Serial No. 513,029 filed Dec. 6,1943.

The guide rails II and I2 are mounted in vertical. position and. facingeach other on the side of the ship hullv by means, of a plurality ofhorizontally disposed brackets 28,.

The guide rails are provided with vertical slots 29 in their sidesfacing each other which are disposed to receive a plurality of rollers35 rotatably mounted on the base section for the purf' pose of guidingthe movement of the elevator platform as it is raised or lowered and foralso maintaining the platform in its horizontal position. A block 32 issecurely fastened by welding tothe lower end of each guide rail toprevent The stresses are taken on ,by'

The outboard section of the as described and claimed the elevator fromdropping on down through the slots in case of failure of the safetiesand cables, etc. In normal use the platform is suspended entirely on itshoisting cables and no counterweights are provided.

The hoisting engine I8 is a hydraulic engine comprising a singlecylinder 34 mounted in a horizontal position on a frame or engine bed 35and a power plunger 33 disposed in the cylinder. The outer end of theplunger is provided with a power head 31 in which a pair of powersheaves 38 are rotatably mounted. The plunger slides back and forth inthe cylinder and thus moves the power sheaves back and forth with it.The

plunger is designed for operation by a suitable hydraulic medium. suchas oil placed under pressure by any suitable pumping apparatus (notshown). A valve block 39 is mounted on the cylinder for controlling theoperation of the plunger by controlling the admission of the oil to thecylinder. An electric motor 49 is connected with the valve block foroperating the valve mechanism therein.

A pair of down stopping blocks ii are mounted on the cylinder block inposition to engage the power head for the purpose of limiting therearward motion of the plunger when the elevator is being lowered to themain deck and a pair of up stopping blocks 42 are mounted on aprojection 43 on the engine bed in position to limit the forward strokeof the plunger when the platform is being raised to the flight deck.

The hoisting cables I6 at the aft end of the platform (Fig. 2) aresecured to the base 20 by a bracket 45 and pass upwardly and over anidler sheave 46 fastened to the ship structure underneath theoverhanging portion of the flight deck, thence rearwardly over a secondidler sheave 41 mounted on the ship frame inside the hull, thencedownwardly and under a deflector sheave 48 mounted on the engine bed 35,thence around a stationary sheave 49 mounted on the engine bed, thenceforward and around the one of the power sheaves 38 and thence to adeadend hitch 50 on the lower part of the rear end of the engine cylinder34.

The hoisting cables i! at the fore end of the elevator are secured tothe base 23 by a bracket 52 and pass upwardly and over an idler sheave53 fastened to the ship structure underneath the overhanging portion ofthe flight deck, thence rearwardly over a second idler sheave 54 mountedon the ship frame inside the hull, thence downward and undera deflectorsheave 55 mounted on theengine bed, thence under and over one of thepower sheaves 38, and thence to a dead-end hitch 56 on the upper part ofthe rear end of the engine cylinder. This roping arrangement isdescribed and claimed in the copending application Serial No. 507,132,filed October 21, 1943.

We have provided an aft inboard lock se, a forward inboard lock (it, anaft outboard lock 62 and a forward outboard lock 63 for locking theelevator platform I3 in its position level with the flight deck when itis not in use or When its cables are to be renewed.

The aft inboard lock 63 (Fig. 6) comprises a horizontal cylindrical bolt64 slidably disposed in a, housing 65' made in the form of a casting andsecurely fastened to the underside of the overhanging portion of theflight deck. A flattened face 65 is provided on the upper side of thelooking end of the bolt 54 for engaging the underside of a stop castin67 mounted in the edge of the elevator platform. The casting 61, isprovided the same manner and its 10 with an extended lip 68 disposed tobe locked between a stopping device or ledge 69 on thelock housing andthe upper face of the lock bolt 64.

The rear end of the bolt 64 is connected by a link TI to. one end of alever arm I2, the other end of which is fixed on an aft outboard lockshaft I3 so that rotation or rocking of the aft outboard lock shaft 13will move the lock bolt 64 into or out of locking position. It will beobserved that the lip or stop 68 held between the lock bolt and thecasting ledge 69 has horizontal flat faces so that it will lock theplatform against vertical reaction'only.

The forward inboard lock 6| is constructed and mounted at the forwardend of the platform in ck'bolt "is connected to a forward outboard lockshaft Iby a link I6 and a lever arm 11.

The aft outboard lock 62 (Fig. 7) is provided with a longitudinalcylindrical lock bolt 80 slidably' disposed in a housing or casting 8|.The housing BI is bolted or otherwise securely fastened'to the undersideof the overhanging portion of the flight deck I5. The upper portion ofthe casting 8| is provided with a stopping device having a beveled-ordownwardly and inwardly retreating face 82 disposed to engage thedownwardly and outwardly extending beveled face 83 of a stop casting 84which is bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the aft end of theelevator platform III. The bottom face 85 of the stop casting 84 isinclined rearwardly and downwardly at an angle to its face 83. The upperfront top portion 86 of the bolt 86 is cut away at an'angle extendingoutwardly and downwardly for wedging the faces 83 and 86 of the stopcasting on the edge of the elevator platform between the beveled edge 82of the lock housing and the lock bolt when the lock bolt is movedforward to lock the platform in its flight deck position, so that theaft end of the elevator will be tightly locked and wedged against theflight deck when the lock bolt is in its locking and wedging position.

.The rear end of the bolt 86 is connected by a link 81 to the upper endof a lever arm 88, the other end of which is fixed on the outboard lockshaft I3, so that rotation or rocking of the lock shaft I3 willmove thelock bolt 80 into or out of locking position; p

The forwardoutboard lock 63 is constructed and mounted at the forwardend of the platform in the same manner and its lock bolt 96 is connectedto the forward outboard lock shaft I5 by a link 9| and a lever 92. Thelock bolt 90is also provided with an outwardly and downwardly beveledface 93 disposed to engage a beveled face 94 on the stop casting 95associated with the lock 63. V The beveled faces on the lock bolts andthe stop members of the lock 62 and 63 will not only lock the platformfirmly in its position at the flight deck, but will also wedge it firmlyagainst the flight deck so that there can be no looseness between theflight deck and the ship even though there should be warpage ofthefiight deck or a change in size of the notch in the deck due to Ichanges in temperature. This wedging action will prevent any batteringram effect of the platform on the ship due to pitchand roll and, also,to wind and sea. v

It will also be notedzthe links and lever arms between the lock boltsand the lock shafts form toggle-Ike connectors which exert a powerfulpressure to maintain the bolts in their locking position.

{The lock shaft I3 for operating the lock bolts 64 and 80, is rotatablymounted in a plurality of pillow blocks 91, 98, 99 and I66, mounted onthe underside of the overhanging edge of the flight deck platform and ina pillow block IIlIIa mounted within the ship hull. In order to preventbinding of the shaft I3 and its bearings, it is constructed in severalsections connected by universal joints IIlI and I02. The lock shaft "I5at the forward end of the elevator platform is rotatably mounted in aplurality of pillow-blocks I63, I84, I85 and I06, secured at, suitableintervals on the underside of the overhanging edge of the flight deckand in a pillow block Iil6a mounted within the ship hull. The shaft I5is, constructed in several sections which may be connected by suitableuniversal joints I91 and I68 in order to avoid binding of the shaft inany of its bearings.

The means for operating the lock shafts I3 and "I5 comprise an airengine IID mounted within the ship hull on a frame I H. The engine isprovided with a piston I I I disposed in a cylinder I I2 for driving apiston rod I I3. The engine is connected by inlet and outlet air pipesII4 and H5 by means of which it may be connected to a suitable air force(not shown) mounted in the ship.

The outer end of the rod I I3 is fixed in acrosshead II6 which isslidably disposed one part of the engine frame Ill. The forward end ofthe cross head H6 is connected by a link IIB to a clevis H9 on theforward end of an inboard operating rod I26. 7

The guide block H6 is provided with an off set arranged to engage aroller II6A which in turn operates an electric switch IIBB. As thecrosshead I I6 moves under the influence of power rod II3, switch armIIBA is moved and switch N63 is closed, to connect the electric controlfor moving the platform when the locks are unlocked and to disconnect itwhen the lock bolts are moved to their locking position. Thisarrangement provides a means for preventing the motor 46 from causingoperation of the hoisting en- 5 gine and platform while the platform islocked against the flight deck.

The aft end of the operating rod I26 is piv 'otally connected by a linkI2I with the upper end of a lever arm I22, the lower end of which isfixed on the inner end of the lock shaft IS. The lever arm I22 issofixed on the lock shaft 'i3that a reciprocating motion of the operatingrod I20 in the aft direction will rotate or rock the lock shaft I3 andthereby operate its levers I2 and188'to movethe lock bolts 56 and 88 outof their locking position. r The means for rotatably moving the lockshaft 7 I5 by means of the air engine, comprises a lever I25,'a linkI26, and a lever arm IZ'I. The lever I25 has its upper end pivotallyconnected to the link H8 attached to the rod Ii!!! and its lower endpivotally connected to a support I25 mounted on the ship frame. The linkI26 has one end pivotally connected to the middle portion of the 55lever I25 and its central portion pivotaily con nected to the outer endof thelever arm 121, the other end of which is fixed on the inner end ofthe lock shaft '55. With this construction, it will be observed that areciprocating movement bi the link'II8 by the piston rod I53 toward theaftend of the ship will move thetop 0f the lever I25 in the. aftdirection thereby pulling on f the link'iilfi and turning the crank arml2! to rock the shaft I5 and thus operatethe lever arms "I5 I1 and 92 tomove the locking bolts I4 and 9- out of their locking position and intotheir unlocked position.

A manual means I30 is provided for operating the locking apparatus atany time when the air engine fails in operation by reason of failure inthe air supply for it or for any other reason. The manual means I35includes a hand lever I3! having its base end rotatably mounted on oneend of a shaft I32 which is rotatably mounted in the frameworkunderneath the overhanging deck I5. A rest hook I33 is provided forsupporting the hand lever when it is not in use. A two-way pawl E34(Fig. 11) is pivotally mounted by a bolt I35 on the base end of the handlever IS! in position to engage either side of a ratchet wheel I36 fixedon the outer end of the shaft I32, so that the lever may be used foroperating the pawl to rotate the shaft I32 in either direction. A springbiased pin 53? is disposed in the free end of the pawl for holding itout of use when the lever Il is not being used. A pinion I35 is fixed onthe inner end of the shaft I52 in position to mesh with a segmental gearI46 which is firmly fixed on the locking shaft l5. so that operation ofthe hand lever I 3I when the pawl I34 is in one of its locking positionswill retate the pinion I39 and thereby move the segmental gear to rockthe shaft l to move the lock bolts into or out of locking position, itbeing obvious that the rotation of the shaft 75 to move the lock boltsid and 53 will also operate the arm I21, the link I26, the lever I25 andthe operating rod I212 to rock the shaft I3 for moving the lock bolts 64and 8B.

In order to prevent the lock moved into locking position when theelevator platform is not at the flight deck, a safety cam I42 (Figs. 3,5 and is pivotally mounted by a bolt I44 on a depending support I 45 andprovided with a locking member I43 disposed to cooperate with a lockblock It? on the rod I29. The block B ll is fastened to the rod I253 bya bolt I48 and it may be adjusted to its correct position on the rod byloosening the bolt sliding the block along the rod until it is in thecorrect position and then tightening the bolt. The depending support I45is also provided with a hole which receives the operating rod I 2d andprovides a slidable bearing for it.

A compression spring I l2a is mounted between a lip I42b on the safetycam arm and a nut and washer M20 on the outer end of a rod I42d, theinner end of which is pivotally mounted by a bolt M2e on the dependingsafety cam support I45. I42 outwardly into form so that the lockingmember I 33 of the safety cam device will always be in looking positionexcept when the elevator platform is at the flight deck.

When the lock bolts are withdrawn from their locking position bymovement of the rod 428 in the aft direction, that movement of the rodmoves the locking block I47 aftward beyond the end of the locking memberI43. leaves the flight deck, it releases the cam lever I42. Thereupon,the spring I did forces the looking member B43 against the rod I263 backof the block I47 where it will prevent forward movement of the rod andthe form is again moved to the flight deck. Thus the rod I20 cannot beoperated to move the lock bolts into locking until the movement of theplatform to the flight deck operates the cam lever bolts from being Thespring IdZa will bias the safety cam the path of the elevator plat- Whenthe platform block until the plat.-

I42 to move the locking member I 43 outwardly to its unlocking position.

When the elevator platform is locked in position at its flight deck, thelocking bolts must not be removed from their locking position unless theoil pressure in the hydraulic engine cylinder 34 is sufficient tomaintain the hoisting cables with full power to support the platform atthe flight deck. Therefore, we have provided an engine interlockmechanism I50 for preventing movement of the locking bolts to theirunlocking position unless the oil pressure in the engine is sufiicientto support the elevator platform at the flight deck.

The interlock mechanism I50 comprises a hydraulic cylinder I5I (Figs. 5,8 and 9), a piston I52 operatively disposed in the cylinder and arectangular head I53 on the upper end of the pis ton. The cylinder I 5!is mounted by a pair of supporting members I54 on the lower part of theengine frame with the piston head I 53 slidably disposed between a pairof guide blocks I54a and I541) on the underside of a portion of theframe In of the air engine H9. The piston head I53 is disposed toengage, when in its lowermost position, a pair of locking hooks I55 andI55a on the free end of the link yoke I25 which is pivotally connectedwith the lever I25 and the lever arm I21 so that the levers and theoperating rod 528 cannot be moved to withdraw the locking bolts fromtheir locking position unless the piston head I53 is in its uppermostposition.

The means for raising the piston and piston head into their uppermostposition to permit unlocking operation of the rod I29 when the engine isready to support the platform is a plunger I55 seated in a cavity I5! inthe lower part of the cylinder I5I which is connected by an oil pipeline I58 :to the high pressure side of the hydraulic engine. When thehydraulic fluid in the. high pressure side of the hydraulic engine is atits normal high pressure, that pressure will raise the plunger I 56upwardly and cause it to push upwardly on the bottom of the piston I52and thus raise the piston to move its piston head I53 to its uppermostposition out of engagement with the locking hooks I55 and I55a on theoperating link I26.

A compression spring i is mounted in the interior of the cylinder I 52between a plug IEI slidably disposed in the upper end of the cylinderand a bottom plate I62 which is welded into the bottom of; the cylinder.The upper end of the plug rests against a bottom section of the airengine frame H1. When the piston is moved upwardly under the action ofthe plunger I56, the spring I is compressed and stores up energy to biasthe piston 52 downwardly against the pressure of the oil in the enginecylinder. The strength of the compression spring I50. should be soselected that it will counterbalance the pressure of the plunger I55operated by the pressure of the oil in the engine in such manner thatthe piston will be forced upwardly to unlock the bars I 55 and I55a onlywhen the oil pressure in the engine gylinder is sufficient to supportthe elevator platorm.

At times it may happen that the oil line I58 leading to the cylinder I5Iis shot away Or otherwise damaged while the oil pressure in the enginecylinder 34 is still capable of supporting the elevator platform. If theoil line I 58 is seriously damaged but the oil pressure in the enginecylinder is still capable of supporting the'platform, the piston I52 maybe moved upwardly by the hand lever I55 which is pivo-tally mounted onthe cylbolts from their locking position.

Assumed operation of the apparatus It will be assumed now that theelevator platform is locked at the flight deck in the position shown inFig. 3, that the hand operating means is disconnected by moving the pawlI34 into its non-engaging position and resting the hand lever againstthe rest hook I33, and that the oil pressure in the engine .cylinder issufficient to support the platform and, therefore, suflicient tomaintain the piston head I 53 above the interlock hooks I55 and I-5a. Itwill be' assumed now that the ber I43 away the platform at the 10 heldin safe position by the elevator platform being at the flight deck. e Itwill be assumed now that the platform is again raised to the flight deckand that it will be locked in position thereat.

As the elevator platform approaches closely to the flight deck itstrikes the safety cam I42 and moves it inwardly, thus moving thelocking memfromthe rod I26 and out of the way of the locking block I41so that the operating rod I26 may be moved in the forward direction foroperating the locking apparatus to lock flight deck. In this operationofthe locks it will be assumed thatf the air pressure for the air engineis insufficient to operate that engine and that the attendants mustoperate the manual means I36 to effect the desired locking action. Inorder to use the hand means the pawl I34 is thrown into engagement withthe ratchet wheel I36, then the lever I3I is operated back and forth torotate attendant desires to unlock the platform to move it downwardlyand, therefore, operates the air engine I III to move the lock bolts totheir unlocked position; ,The operation of the air engine II6 causes itspiston III to move in the aft directime (Fig. 3) and thereby push itspiston rod II3 outwardly.

The outward movement of the piston rod carries with it the guide II6,the link II8, the lever I25, the clevis II9, the operating rod I26, 'andthe link I2I and thereby rocks the lever arm I22 in anticlockwise thelock shaft 13 into open locking position. This rotative movement of theshaft 13 causes its lever arms'1.2 and 88 to punch their links H and 81and thus pull the aft inboard locking bolt 64 and the aft outboardlocking bolt 86 out of their locking position into their unlockedposition. This motion also engages guide block i I6 with roller I I6A toclose switch I I6B to close the electric circuit to the platformcontrol.

The aft movement of the link II8 carries with it the upper end of theoperating lever I25 thus pulling the link I26 in the aft direction andthereby operating the lever arm I21 to cause a corresponding rotativemovement of the shaft 13. The rotative movement of the shaft 15 causesits lever arms 11 and 92 to pull on their links :6 and 81 and thus movethe forward inboard lock bolt 14 and the forwardoutboard lock bolt 96out of their locking position and into their unlocked position. The lockbolts are now in their unlocked position and the platform is supportedon the hoisting cables by the hydraulic engine.

The rotative movement of the lock shaft 15 also rotates a gear segmentI46 and this in turn rotates the pinion I39 of the hand operatingmechanism but this results in no effect because the pawl I34 has. beendisconnected from the ratchet wheel I36.

It will be assumed now thatv the platform is lowered from the flightdeck to the main deck. As it leaves the flight deck, it moves out of theway of the safety 1y under the'effect of the spring. M211 and therebymoves its locking member I43inwardly against the operating rod I26. Theunlocking movement of the locking rod moves the locking block I41 in theaft direction until it is beyond the looking member I43 so that thepresent movement ofthe locking member I43 brings it up against theoperating rod back of the locking member where it will prevent anylocking mov of the oper ti rod a o as th Safety is cam I42 which fallsdownward I direction to rock the ratchet wheel I36. The rotation of thewheel I36 rotates the pinion I39 on the segmental gear: I46 and thusrocks the lock shaft 15 to move its links 16 and 9| in the aft directionand thereby push the locking bolts 14 and 96 into their lookingposition. I

The rotative movement of the lock shaft 15 (Fig. 5) also moves the'lever arm I21 to pull the link I26 on the the operating rod I26 cause arotative movement of the rotative movement lever arms 12 and 88 to pushon the links H and 81 and thereby move the locking bolts 64 and 86 intotheir locking position. Inasmuch as the wedge shaped faces 86 and 93 ofthe outboard locking bolts 86 and 96 are disposed'in engagement withstop castings on the elevator platform, they will wedge the platformtightly against the flight deck and maintain it in that positionregardless of the action of the elements or any changes in the size ofthe elevator notch.

From the foregoing parent that we have provided an eflicient lookingapparatus for locking and wedging a deck edge elevator platform in aparking position at the flight deck in such manner as to prevent any onthe lever arm I22 to shaft 13. The

looseness between the platform and the ship so deck edge elevatorplatform at its flightdeck;

that such apparatus may be operated either by hand or a power means;that we have provided means for interlockingthe locking apparatus withthe hoisting engine in it cannot be unlocked unless the oil pressure inthe hoisting engine is sufllcient to support the and that the lock boltscannot be platform;

locking position until the platmoved to their form is in the position inwhich it. is to be locked.

It willalso :be apparent that, with the described arrangement of thelocks, that the inboard locks will carry only vertical forces which willresult in a low reaction at drag; that we have provided a wedge shapedlocking means with a power follow-up which will 1 the aft lock due towater tiethe elevator platform securely to the ship under all adversecoditions; and that the toglever I25 and thereby pull of the shaft 13causes its cooperating wedge faces on the description it w'm be aptheplatform dips into the:

suchmanner that gle arrangement of theoperating devices behind the lockbolts will exert a high force on the bolts and will prevent any forcesexerted by the platform from moving the bolts out of their engagedposition.-

Although' we have illustrated and described only one specific embodimentof our invention, many changes therein and modifications thereof may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

W claim as our invention:

1. In an' elevator, a platform for serving a parking floor, a hoistingengine for operating the platform, a stop device on the floor for eachend of the platform, to limit its upward movement, a wedging lock ateach end of the platform for wedging and locking the platform tightlyagainst the stopping devices on the parking floor, a lockingengine forlocking and unlocking the locks, and means for causing the lockingengine to exert a continuous pressure on the wedging locks While theyare in their locking position and thereby constantly maintain theplatform tightly against the parking floor.

2. In an elevator, a platform for serving a parking floor, a hoistingengine for operating the platform, a plurality of stopping devices onthe parking floor for each end of the platform, a pair of. guide membersfor preventing lateral movement of the platform, a look at each end ofthe platform for locking it against the adjacent stopping devices on theparking floor and preventing more than a limited vertical movement ofthe platform, a Wedging look at each end of the platform for Wedging theplatform tightly against the adjacent stopping devices on the parkingfloor, and means for locking and unlocking the locks.

3. In an elevator, a platform for serving a parking floor, a hoistingengine for operating the platform, a plurality of locks for locking theplatform at the parking floor, means for locking and unlockin the looks,a means responsive to movement of the platform from the parking floorfor preventin locking operation of the locks while the platform is awayfrom the parking floor, and an interlocking mechanism responsive to thecondition of the hoisting engine for preventing unlocking of the lockswhile the hoisting engine is not in condition to operate the platform.

4. In an elevator, a platform for serving a parking floor, a hoistingengine for operating the platform, a pair of guide members forpreventing lateral movement of the platform, a lock at each end of theplatform for looking it at the parking floor and preventing more than alimited vertical movement, of the platform, a wedging look at each endof the platform for wedging the platform tightly against the parkingfloor, means for locking and unlocking the locks, a means responsive tomovement of'the platform from the parking floor for preventing lockingoperation of the locks while the platform is away from the parkingfloor, and an interlocking mechanism responsive to the condition of thehoisting engine for preventing unlocking of thelockswhile the hoistingengine i not in condition to support the'platform.

In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform'for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, a lock housingmounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, a stop mountedon each end of the platform opposite the housing there'at, a

12 lock bolt slidably disposed in each housing for engaging the stopassociated therewith, a lock shaft rotatably mounted on the ship at eachend of the-platform for moving the bolts into and out of lockingposition, an operating rod for operating the lock shafts, a means foroperating the operating rod, and an interlocking mechanism responsive tothe condition of the hoisting engine for preventing withdrawal of thelocking bolts from their locking position while th hoisting engine isnot in condition to support the platform.

6. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, a lock housingmounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, a stop mountedonea'ch end of the platform opposite the housin thereat, a lock aoltslidably disposed in each housing for engaging the stop associatedtherewith, a lock shaft rotatably mounted on the ship at each end of theplatform for moving the bolts into and out of locking position, anoperating rod for operating the lock shafts, a locking engine foroperating the operating rod, a means responsive to movement of theplatform from the flight deck for preventing locking operation of thelock bolts until the platform is positioned at the flight deck, and aninterlocking mechanism responsive to the condition of the hoistingengine for preventing withdrawal of the locking bolts from their lookingposition While the hoisting engine is not in condition to support theplatform.

7. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, a lock housingmounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, a stop mountedon each end of the platform opposite the housing thereat, a lock boltslidably disposed in each housing, for engaging the stop associatedthere- With, said housings, stops and lock bolts having beveled faces towedge and lock the platform tightly against the flight deck when thebolts are in their locking position, a lock shaftrotatably mounted onthe ship at each end of the platform, a link and lever arm'connectingeach lock bolt to the lock shaft at its end of the platform, anoperating rod, a plurality of links and lever arms connecting theoperating rod to the lock shafts, and a locking engine connected to theoperating rod for moving it to, rock the lock shafts and'thereby movethe lock bolts into and out of their locking position.

8. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck,-a lock housingmounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, a stop mount-edon each end of the platform-opposite the housing thereat, a lock boltslidably disposed in each housing for engaging the stop associatedtherewith, said housings, stops and lock bolts having beveled facesdisposed to wedge and lock the platform tightly against the flight deckwhen the bolts are in their locking position, a lock shaft rotatablymounted on the ship at each end of the platform, a link and lever armconnecting each lock bolt to the lock shaft at its end of the platforman operating rod, a plurality of links and lover arms connecting theoperating rod to the lock shafts, a locking engine connected to theoperating rod for moving it to rock the lock shafts and thereby move thelock bolts into and out of their locking position, and

a means responsive to movement of the platform from the flight deck forpreventing locking operpositioned at the flight deck. r

9. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, a lock housingmounted in the flight deck ateach end of the platform, a of the platformopposite the housing thereat,.a

lock bolt slidably disposedin each .housing for engaging the stopassociated therewith, said housings, stops and lock bol'tshaving beveledI faces disposedto wedge and lock the platform tightly against theflight deck when the bolts are in their locking position, a lock shaftrotatably mounted on the ship at each end of the platform, a link andlever arm connecting each lock bolt to the lockv shaft at its end of theplatform, an operating rod, a plurality of links and lever armsconnecting the operating rod to the lock shafts, a locking engineconnected to the operating rod for moving it to rock the lock shafts andthereby move the lock bolts into and out of their locking position, andan interlocking mechanism respon sive to the condition of the hoistingengine for preventing withdrawal of the locking bolts from their lockingposition while the hoisting engine is not in condition to support theplatform.

' 10. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a'flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, an inboard lockhousing having a stopping member mounted in the flight deck at each endof the platform, an inboard stop mounted at each end of the platformopposite the inboard housing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed ineach inboard housing for engaging the inboard stop associated therewithand looking it against the stopping member on the housing, an outboardlock housing having a stepping member mounted in the flight deck at eachend of the platform, an outboard stop mounted on each end of theplatform opposite the outboard housing thereat, a lock bolt slidablydisposed in each outboard housing for engaging the outboard stopassociated therewith and locking it against thestopping member on thatoutboard housing, a lock shaft rotatably mounted on the ship at each endof the platform, a link and lever arm connecting each lock bolt to thelock shaft at its end of the platform, an operating rod, a plurality oflinks and lever arms conneotingthe operating rod to the lock shafts, and,a locking engine connected to the operating rod for moving it to rockthe lock shafts and thereby move the lock bolts into and out of theirlocking position. v

11. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, an inboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, an

inboard stop mounted at each end of the platform opposite the inboardhousing bolt slidably disposed in each inboard housing for engaging theinboard stop associated therewith, said inboard housings,,inboard stopsand inboard bolts having horizontal flat, cooperating faces forpreventing vertical movement but permitting a limited stop mounted oneach end" thereat, a lock 7 horizontal movement of the platform, anoutboard lock housing mounted in the flight deck at each end ofthe'p1atform,'an-

outboard stop mounted on each end of the plat form opposite the'outboardhousing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in each outboard housingfor engaging the outboard stop associated therewith, said outboardhousings, outboard stops and outboard lock bolts having beveled faces towedge and lock-the platform tightly against the flight deck when thebolts are in their locking position, a lock shaft rotatably mounted onthe ship at each end of the platform, a link and lever arm connectingeach lock bolt to the lock shaft at its end. of the platform, anoperating rod, a plurality of operating rod to the lock shafts, and alocking engine connecting to the operating rod for moving it'to rock thelock shafts and thereby move the lock boltsinto and out of their lockingposition.

' 12. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, an inboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, aninboard stop mounted at each end of. the platform opposite the inboardhousing thereat, a lock .bolt slidably disposed in each inboard housingfor engaging the inboard stop associated therewith,

said inboard housing, inboard stops and inboard at each end of theplatform, an outboard stop mounted on each end of the platform oppositethe outboard housing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in eachoutboard housing for engaging the outboard stop associated therewith,said outboard housings, outboard stops and outboard lock bolts havingbeveled faces to wedge and lock the platform tightly against the flightdeck when the bolts are in their locking position, a lock shaftrotatably mounted on the ship at each end of the platform, a link andlever arm connecting each lock bolt to the lock shaft at its end of theplatform, an operating rod, a plurality of links and lever armsconnecting the operating rod to the lock shafts, a locking engineconnected to the operating rod for moving it to rock the lock shafts andthereby move the lock bolts into and out of their locking position, andmanual means for operating the operating rod to move the bolts into andout of locking position upon failure of the locking engine.

13. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane car rier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, ahoisting engine forsupporting and raising and lowering the platform,

can inboard lock housing mounted in the flight deck at each end of theplatform, an inboard stopmounted at each end of the platform oppo- 1site the inboard housing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in eachinboard housing for engaging the inboard stop associated therewith, saidinboard housings, inboard stops and I having horizontal flat cooperatingfaces for preventing vertical movement but permitting a limitedhorizontal movement of the platform, an outboard lock housing mounted inthe flight deck at each end of the platform, an outboard stop mounted oneach end of the platform opposite the outboard, housing thereat, a lockbolt slidably disposed in each outboard housing for engaging theoutboard stop associated therewith, said out board housings, outboardlinks and lever arms connecting the inboard bolts stops and outboardlock' bolts having beveled faces to wedge and lock the platform tightlyagainst the flight deck when the bolts are in their locking position, alock shaft rotatably mounted. on the ship at each end of the platform, atoggle like link and lever arm connecting each lock bolt to the lockshaft at its end of the platform, an operating rod, a plurality of linksand lever arms connectin the operating rod to the lock shafts, a lockingengine connected to the operating rod for moving it to rock the lockshafts and thereby movethe lock bolts into and out of their lockingposition, and means for supplying a constant power to the looking engineto maintain the outboard lock bolts in tight wedging position while theylock the platform at the flight deck.

14. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main deck and a flight deck, a hoisting enginefor supporting and raising and lowering the platform, an inboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, aninboard stop mounted at each end of the platform opposite the inboardhousing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in each inboard housingfor engaging the inboard stop associated therewith, an outboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, anoutboard stop mounted on each end of the platform opposite the outboardhousing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in each outboard housingfor engaging the outboard stop associated therewith, a lock shaftrotatably mounted on the ship at each end of the platform, a toggle likelink and lever arm connecting each lock bolt to the lock shaft at itsend of the platform, an operating rod, a plurality of links and leverarms connecting the operating rod to the lock shafts, a locking engineconnected to the operating rod for moving it to rock the lock shafts andthereby move the lock bolts into and out of their locking position,means for supplying a constant power to the locking engine to maintainthe outboard lock bolts in tight wedging position while they lock theplatform at the flight deck, andan interlocking mechanism responsive tothe condition of the hoisting engine for preventing withdrawal of thelocking bolts from their lockin position while the hoisting engine isnot in condition to support the platform.

15. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatorplatform for serving a main and a flight deck, a hoisting engine forsupporting and raising and lowering the platform, an inboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, aninboard stop mounted at each end of the platform opposite the inboardhousing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in each inboard housingfor engaging the inboard stop associated therewith; an outboard lockhousing mounted in the flight deck at each end of the platform, anoutboard stop mounted on each end of the platform opposite the outboardhousing thereat, a lock bolt slidably disposed in each outboard housingfor engaging the outboard stop associated therewith, said out-- boardhousings, outboard stops and outboard lock bolts having beveled faces towedge and lock the platform tightly against the flight deck when thebolts are in their locking position, a lock shaft rotatably mounted onthe ship at each end of the platform, a toggle like link and lever armconnecting each lock bolt to the lock shaft at its end of the platform,an operating rod, a plurality of. links and lever arms connecting. theopfor locking the locking. the platform crating rod to the lock shafts,a locking engine connected to the operating rod for moving it to rockthe look shafts and thereby move the lock bolts into and out of theirlocking position, means for supplying a constant power to the lockingengine to maintain the outboard lock bolts in tight wedging positionwhile they lock the platform at the flight deck, and a means responsiveto movement of the platform from the flight deck for preventing lockingoperation of the locking bolts until the platform is positioned at theflight deck, and an interlocking mechanism responsive to the conditionof the hoisting engine for preventing withdrawal of the locking boltsfrom their locking position while the hoisting engine is not incondition to support the platform.

16. In a deck edge elevator for an airplane carrier ship, an elevatormain deck and a flight deck, a hoistingengine for supporting and raisingand lowering the platform, an inboard lock housing mounted in the flightdeck at each end of the platform, an inboard stop mounted at each end ofthe platform opposite the inboard housing thereat, a lock bolt slidablydisposed in each inboard housing for engaging the inboard stopassociated therewith, said inboard housings, inboard stops and inboardlock bolts having fiat horizontal cooperating faces for preventingvertical movement of the platform, an outboard lock housing mounted inthe flight deck at each end of the platform, an outboard stop mounted oneach end of the platform opposite the outboard housing thereat, a lockbolt slidab-ly disposed in each outboard housing for engaging theoutboard stop associated therewith, said outboard housings, outboardstops and outboard lock bolts havin beveled faces to wedge and lock theplatform tightly against the flight deck When the bolts are in theirlocking position, a lock shaft rotatably mounted on the ship at each endof the platform, a toggle like link and lever arm connecting each lockbolt to the lock shaft at its end of the platform, an operating rod, aplurality of links and lever arms connecting the operating rod to thelock shafts, a locking engine connected to the operating rod for movingit to rock the lock shafts and thereby move the lock bolts into and outof their locking position, means for supplying a constant power to thelocking engine to maintain the outboard lock bolts in tight wedgingposition while they look the platform at the flight deck, a safety camresponsive to movement of the platform from the flight deck forpreventing a locking operation of the locking bolts until the platformis positioned at the flight deck, and an interlocking mechanismresponsive to the condition of the hoisting engine for preventingwithdrawal of the locking bolts from their lockin position while thehoisting engine is not in condition to support the platform.

17. In an elevator, a platform for serving a parking door, a pluralityof stopping devices on the parking floor, a hoisting engine foroperating the platform, a look at each end of the platform 18. In anelevator, a platform for serving a:

parking floor, a hoisting engine for operating the platform, a lock ateach end of the platform for platform for serving a platform against thestopping deagainst the parking fl0or,

ineans responsive to operating or the locks to lock the platform at theparking floor for preventing operation of the hoisting engine while thelocks are in locked condition, and an interlocking mechanism responsiveto the condition of the hoisting engine for preventing the locks frombeing unlocked while the hoisting engine is not in condition to supportthe platform.

19. In an elevator, a platform for serving a parking floor, a pluralityof stopping devices on the parking floor, a hoisting engine foroperating the platform, a look at each end of the platform for lockingthe platform against the stopping de vices on the parking floor, meansresponsive to operation of the locks to look the platform at the parkingfloor for preventing operation of the hoisting engine while the locksare in locked condition, and a means responsive to the absence of theplatform from the parking floor for preventing a locking operation ofthe locking bolts until the platform is positioned at the parking floor.

20. In an elevator, a platformfor serving a parking'fioor, a pluralityof stopping devices on the parking floor, a, hoisting engine foroperating the platform, a look at each end of the platform for lockingthe platform against the stopping device on the parking floor, a lockingengine for locking and unlocking the locks, and a means responsive tothe absence of the platform from the parking floor for preventing alocking operation of the locks until the platform is positioned at theparking floor.

JAMES DUNLOP. LENNIE R. RISSLER.

